The species is not recommended north of Sunset zone 32 and USDA zone 7; USDA recommends a frost-free growing season of 200+ days. However, David Francko writes in Palms Won't Grow Here (2003) that 'Nana' (a dwarf, obviously) will grow in a true USDA zone 6a location, and 'Pride of Houston' (a small tree form with heavy fruit) is hardy in zone 6b.
Dioecious but parthenocarpic (females will produce berries even without a male). Can be sheared, even used for topiary. NCSU says fast growth but USDA says slow; in any case, nutrients and rich soil noticeably promote growth.
Better alkalinity tolerance than other hollies. Best fruiting and density in full sun. USDA is an outlier in denying clay tolerance and anaerobic tolerance.
Fruits are mildly poisonous and leaves may induce vomiting, in case you couldn't tell from the specific epithet. (The caffeinated tea that can be brewed from the leaves does not have this effect.)
'Will Fleming' is fruitless and narrow enough to serve as an Italian cypress substitute when young, but Dirr reports that a 9-year-old specimen in Georgia was almost as wide as tall.
Sources: Sunset, UFL, NCSU, Cal Poly, USDA, Odenwald/Turner, Dove/Woolridge, Dirr.
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